4 Battalion 27 September 1918

Battle of the St Quentin Canal. 27^th September 1918

A Company, 4^th Battalion with 106^th Regiment, 53^rd Brigade, 27^th US Division, III Corps

"A" Company had twelve tanks in action on 27^th September 1918.

"A" Company - Coy Cmd Maj Carew H MC, 2IC Capt Smith HF

1 sect - Capt JM Martin MC

9116, 2lt Boulter S

9190, 2Lt Steane JL

9107, Cpl. Thomsett

9374, 2Lt Brazier R

2 sect - Capt Mackeown NE

9448, f, 2Lt Briscoe H

9399, f, 2Lt Cain W

9182, 2Lt Court GR

9096, Lt Owen E

3 sect - Capt Heptonstall R

9326, 2Lt Gill GA

9066, 2Lt McNab, George A

9130, 2Lt Pogue RT

9109, 2Lt Baigent H

Wireless tank

6099, 2Lt Mather, Henry J

4 tank Supply Company

Section - Capt Ryan

Sgt Broughton

Lt Thomas SA

and a third supply tank

Notes

9107 and 9096 both commanded by Lt E Owen on 27^th September according to the OB.

Details from BHS and WMH

According to the Account of operations Cpl Hare LA OIC of 9096

Supply tank details from Watson (s62.p262)

Orders

The three US battalions attacked in line. One section of 4 tanks was allocated to each US battalion. Each section had a specific objective: the Knoll, Gillemont Farm and Quennemont Farm. ^{(W4a) (H4)}

Tanks were to join attacking infantry at the start line at Zero, 5.30am. The tanks went forward with cribs but left them at the point of assembly (Spur Quarry (E29b.5.3) ^(H4) as they were judged to not to be needed. ^(W4a)

1 section to leave SP F23c.2.2 at Z – 12mins, 5:18am, proceed with 1^st US Battalion and attack and take Quennomont Farm. Then return to RP F22b.5.2 (or F22b.3.3) ^(BHS)

2 section 5:30am Zero and start. To cross front line at Duncan post at Zero, proceed along North of Gullimeont - Roncoy Road to Gullimont Farm and return to RP along South of Gullimont - Roncey Road. 9448 to act as a reserve to three tanks in front and replace any tank which dropped behind RP F22b.5.4 or F23a.7.7 ^(BHS)

3 section start z-12 mins, [5:18am] to proceed with infantry to the Knoll; see infantry onto the Knoll then return to RP F15b.8.5 the Knoll. 9066 to silence enemy in derelict tank at F11b.2.5 and leave 7000 rounds SAA with infantry. 9130 to pay particular attention to Egg Post, then return to RP F22c.5.4. 9109 was the reserve tank, it was to accompany the other three tanks. ^(BHS)

6099 - Wireless tank was to attach itself to 106^th US Regt and send messages ^(BHS)

Account of operations

Overview

12 tanks started, only 11 came into contact with the enemy, 3 tanks were knocked out: 9130 after running over a landmine; 9399 whilst moving; 9374 became ditched and was then knocked out ^W4a. 9107 also ditched ^(BHS) eight tanks reached their objectives, silenced enemy MGs and ensured infantry were established on their objectives. These eight tanks then rallied, two were unfit for further action, one having been pierced by AP rifle bullets and one with engine trouble. Total casualties were 3 officers wounded (one fatally), one Other Rank killed and 17 wounded ^(W4a) serial numbers from BHS

Detailed accounts from BHS

1 section

9116 started and broke down for ten minutes (magneto) two hundred yards in front of Allied front line. Had lost touch with infantry, those infantry who could be found were themselves lost. Fired on by and silenced MMG in a trench A19a.5.5, then ditched in this trench whilst attempting to cross it. Unditched, infantry told tank obj. secured so tank rallied. In action for two hours, drove two and a half miles, fired one hundred and twenty one rounds 6pdr, forty rounds SAA. ^(BHS)

9190 started on time, crossed sunken road at F23d.7.2 and reached front line just as barrage dropped. Still dark at Zero so visibility was poor, improved with daylight, no sign of a smoke screen. Enemy front line easily overcome, retreating enemy fired on by tank. The tank worked along Wind Trench in A25a and crossed the valley. MG fire was very heavy, several AP rounds penetrated tank; cleared several MGs from around Peter trench and Malakow Wood in A26c and worked along Pot Lane from where many MGs were firing. Infantry took possession of Pot Lane and tank turned to rally, engaging several enemy MGs which had not been mopped up. Whilst returning there was no sign of communications staff, runners etc. only a solitary party with a baggage tank. In action for two and a half hours, drove four miles fired one hundred and fourteen rounds 6pdr (100 Solid and 14 case); one hundred SAA. No casualties. ^(BHS)

9107 started at Zero, made to cross allied front line at Benjamin Farm, ditched and broke down in shell crater just before crossing British front line, F23.d.7.6. After a fruitless hour trying to unditch tank crew rallied. In action for thirty minutes and drove half a mile. Narrative written by Capt Smith. ^(BHS)

9374 started, crossed front line, fired on enemy, ditched in a shell holes F24c.3.8, unditching gear broke, tank hit twice through roof and KO, 4 crew wounded, crew removed cocking handles [from HG]. Crew rallied at RP. In action half an hour drove three quarters of a mile. ^(BHS)

2 section

9448 started at Zero, took place of 9399 when it threw a track. Unable to see tanks on flanks in darkness, steered by compass to objective. Got to within five hundred yards of objective meeting little resistance; at this point was pierced three times by AP bullets and subjected to heavy MG fire, patrolled for twenty minutes before leaving at 7pm and rallying. In action two and a half hours drove three and a half miles, fired one hundred rounds SAA. First driver wounded under left eye by shell splinter. ^(BHS)

9399 tank drove 100yds then ditched at f17a.8.4 map 62NE, about 30 yards South East of Duncan post, it was unditched but was then hit and KO by a shell which broke the left track. Tank evacuated, HG put into 9399 which was rallying. Crew rallied. ^(BHS)

9182 followed orders, encountered many MG which were silenced with HG fire or by being run over. Tank reached objectives, having suffered two AP rifle holes on right sponson, several AP holes and had the silencer riddled; by then the whole crew except the driver had been wounded so the tank was ordered to rally which it did at the RP of the section on the left. In action for four hours, drove three thousand five hundred yards and fired one hundred and sixty rounds 6pdr and five hundred SAA. Narrative written by Capt Mackeown NE [Unclear in original BHS] ^(BHS)

9096 started in darkness, met infantry then went slightly to left of objective to cross trenches. Met little resistance until ran over eight Machine gunners in a communication trench at A13d.8.9; patrolled road until all clear given by infantry then rallied. In action for two hours, drove three miles and fired fifty rounds 6pdr (twenty case and thirty ordinary) and one hundred SAA. After action at Villers Faucon E29b.5.4, with mechanical trouble (not mentioned in narrative, only on front of BHS) ^(BHS)

3 Section

9326 started at 5:15am, crossed front line F11c.80.50 at Zero, and headed for Egg Post where no opposition was encountered. Tank continued but broke down from 5:55am to 6:50 with autovac trouble. By the time the tank was repaired two other tanks from the section were seen returning. The tank joined these and rallied at RP F15b.8.5. In action for one and a half hours, drove two miles and fired fifteen rounds 6pdr and two hundred SAA. ^(BHS)

9066 started on time, crossed own line at Z + 2 minutes, went to Tomblios Farm, F11b.2.5, little opposition encountered, small groups of enemy moving towards allied lines with their hands up. Fired a few 6pdr shells into derelict tank and left if blazing furiously: sponson door opened but no one came out. First real resistance met at sunken road crossing Crellin Avenue 12a.2.9, MG crews attempted to surrender when tank got to with five yards of them. Went around Knoll, little opposition was encountered. Went over Cochrane Ave and dumped 7000 rounds SAA. Tank turned to rally but broke down and was towed in to F15b.8.5 62cNE. In action for one hour five minutes, drove two and a half miles and fired thirty rounds 6pdr and two hundred and fifty SAA. ^(BHS)

9130 started on time, 5:20am but ran over a mine thirty minutes later having driven half a mile, blown up and burnt out at F17a.55.50. One crew man killed, OIC and four crew severely wounded and burnt. Narrative written by Capt Smith. ^(BHS)

2Lt Pogue died on the 28^th September ^(CWG)

9109 went with inf, little resistance until Tomblouis farm, F11b.2.5 reached where numerous enemy MG silenced. Now getting ,lighter, several parties of the enemy disposed of. Enemy Mg nest at sunken road, F6c.2.1 dealt with. Knoll reached at Z +40, inf. secured same and tank rallied. In action for one hour, drove one and a half miles and fired twenty four rounds 6pdr and one hundred SAA. ^(BHS)

6099 three messages sent by wireless. ^(BHS) No further details given.

Supply Tanks

4th Tank Supply company,

Three tanks followed the Americans and were lost. The first tank ran into the British minefield on the way forward, two crew were killed, a third crewman was severely wounded; Capt. Ryan was walking alongside and he was also wounded. Lt Thomas' tank fell into a shell crater, was abandoned and blown apart by German artillery before it could be recovered. Sgt Broughton's tank made it to its objective, unloaded whilst under MG fire, half the crew were wounded, the tank then turned to rally and was KO when it ran over a mine whilst returning. (s62.p262f)

Summary

Total Tanks: 12

Failed to Start:

Engaged enemy: 11

Ditched / Broke Down: 1

Hit and Knocked out: 3

Rallied: 7

Note: Two of the rallied tanks were unfit; one having been pierced by AP rifle bullets and one with engine trouble.

The mined tank may be shown in this photo:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/937584240/in/set-72157601074581465/

Aftermath

9066, 9116, 9109, 9190, 9326, 9448 all in action with 4^th Battalion 29^th September

9107 photographed being unditched, possibly following this action:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7700258@N05/8433340561/in/set-72157601074582281

9096, 9107, 9182 all in action with 4^th Battalion on 5^th October

9130, 9374 handed to salvage on 29^th September.

9399 handed to salvage on 30^th September, From CW to No 1 tank stores on 1 mar 19.

6099 still with battalion on September 30^th.

Sources

W4a - Summary of Tanks on Strength – September 1918. - PRO WO 95-110

4^th Tank Battalion. Operations order No 24. - PRO WO 95-110

4^th Tank Battalion. Report upon action of “A” company with 53^rd Brigade, 27^th American Div. 27/9/18 - PRO WO 95-110

WMH - Henshell Papers, IWM 73 / 126 / 1

BHS – Relevant Tank Battle History sheets held in Henshall Papers IWM 73 / 126 / 1

H4 – History of the 4^th Tank Battalion - Transcript from Bovington Tank Museum.

St Quentin Canal - 29 September to 2 October 1918